Yesterday, contestants from the American/Caribbean and African 72nd edition of Miss World presented their “Beauty With A Purpose” projects in a head-to-head competition.
Faith Bwalya, representing Zambia, took the stage and shared her powerful story. It was a difficult tale that nearly brought her to tears, but she managed to regain her composure.
She recounted how she was on the verge of getting married and how she was raped at the age of 16. She explained how these experiences motivated her to advocate for those who are marginalized. Below is her complete presentation, as her words express her message best.
“Good afternoon, everyone. I am truly honored to stand here today. I represent the 20 million brave hearts of my country, and after seven years, Zambia is back on the Miss World stage.
True beauty is not just about looks; it’s about the ability to make a difference in the world by giving a voice to the voiceless, having the courage to support the weak, and showing compassion to create lasting change. This impact is especially important in the field of education.
Today, my beauty with a purpose focuses on advocating for children, youth, and differently-abled individuals from marginalized communities because I believe everyone deserves this power, and that’s why I stand for it.
I come from a loving home, but my parents lacked one crucial thing: education. As the first child in my family, I felt it was my duty to support my loved ones.
However, during this time, I was just a kid, and my innocence was taken from me because I had to be there for those who depended on me. I found myself vulnerable in a world that could take away my innocence. At 16, I was nearly forced into an early marriage.
At 16, I was raped, and this is a silence I have carried with me for…”
